Billie Jean
Jackson releases Billie Jean, the second single from Thriller. The song is based on a true account where a girl would stalk Jackson and begin writing him letters claiming he was the father of her child. Jackson expressed is discomfort with the false claim indirectly with this song.
There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it’s not about that Billie Jean, Billie Jean is kind of anonymous. It represents a lot of girls. They used to call them groupies in the ’60s. They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little.There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers.
20/20 interview
Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine and his brothers are interviewed by Sylvia Chase. They talk about how Jackson and his brothers intensely rehearsed everyday after school, how Jackson became shy over time and the energy that is felt from their growing fans which keeps them constantly motivated. Michael:
On stage means the greatest place in the world. You just light up on stage – it’s magic.
Beat It
Jackson releases Beat It, the third single from Thriller. The lyrics portray gang life on the streets which Jackson has mentioned he is not directly familiar with. The song talks about two gangs who come together to fight but are challenged to work together and settle their differences in peaceful manner.
Every song is different. The gestation process for BEAT IT was so fast, it was amazing. I thought about what I’d do in that situation… A confrontation with a gang… I wouldn’t do what these people would do. The way I was raised I would turn the other cheek without creating a war or being a coward either.
ET interview about Thriller
Jackson interviews with ET about the success of his platinum album Thriller.
Every-time I get a platinum album it is never taken lightly on my behalf I’m always honored.
Unauthorized Encino interview
Jackson does an interview with his sister Latoya Jackson in his mother’s home in Encino, California. They talk about what inspires them creatively, focusing on ultimate goals and Jackson’s pet peeve. He also talks about his love for east Indian features and the dark color of their skin.
I think with any type of creation you create what’s inside of you. Subconsciously what influences you. I’m a fantasy fanatic and anything that will take you off into another world escapism, that’s what I like. I’m not so crazy about the reality of everything I like a lot of fantasy and that’s what I try to create.
Unauthorized interview
Jackson does an interview and talks about his llama, Louie, in his mother’s home in Encino, California. He also talks about his inspiration for writing his songs, the spirituality that children, animals and God have given to his success and the time of the day that he chooses to create. There are a few moments where Jackson sings acapella in the spirit of the moment.
I’ve always said I don’t write my own songs, because I feel I’m just a source, I’m just a tunnel, tube through which they come. I feel somewhere in space they’ve all been written before. I mean Billie Jean and Beat It and all those songs have been up there somewhere they just came through to me. That’s how I really feel. So even though I did it, I just can’t always take credit.
Off the Wall performance
Jackson performs Off the wall with the Jacksons during a reunion tour performance in Pasadena, California.
Beat It interview
Jackson is interviewed during the Making of Beat It the Music video. He discusses what inspired him to create the song, his inclusion of real gang members in the music video, who he considers his real personal friends. He also talks about how the gang world is nothing like what he is used to and how it scares him.
I get afraid of people. I don’t really know people sometimes. It’s a whole ‘nother life that I…I haven’t really experienced that. Like friendship is thing I’m just beginning to learn about. I was raised on the stage and that’s where I’m comfortable and everything else is like foreign to me. I’m just beginning to learn about people, friendship, things like that.
Wins Billboard Music Award
0 CommentsJackson wins the Billboard Music Awards for Best Performance by a Male Artist, Pop Artist of the Year, Black Artist of the Year, Pop Album Artist, Pop Male Album Artist, Pop Male Singles Artist, Black Album Artist, Black Singles Artist, Pop Singles Artist, and Dance/Disco Artist.
He wins Best Overall Video, Best Performance by a Male Artist Best Choreography, Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist’s Song, Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist’s Image, and Dance/Disco 12” LP for Beat It.
He wins the Pop Album of the Year, and Black Album for Thriller, and Dance/Disco 12” LP for Billie Jean.
Wins Billboard Video Awards
0 CommentsJackson wins the Billboard Video Award for Best Performance by a Male Artist, and Best Overall Video, Best Choreography, Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist’s Song, and Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist’s Image for Beat It.
Wins Black Gold Awards
0 CommentsJackson wins the Black Gold Award for Top Male Vocalist, Best Album for Thriller, Best Single of the Year for Billie Jean, and Best Video Performance for Beat It.
I’ve very honored and very happy to win this award.
Wins BMI Urban Award
0 CommentsJackson wins the BMI Urban Award for Pop Songwriter of the Year.
Thriller video
0 CommentsJackson releases the music video for Thriller. This 13 minute music video is about a night of terror regarding a young man who takes his date to a horror movie where the onscreen happenings somewhat mirror what is soon to happen to them. Jackson’s inspiration to create this short film is Michael Landon’s 1957 horror flick, I Was A Teenage Werewolf, as well as Director John Landis’ 1981 film An American Werewolf in London. Landis also directs Thriller.
We tried to bring back motion pictures shorts. I wanted Thriller to be a stimulant for people to make better videos and short films…I saw American Werewolf In London and I really, really liked it, because it was a different type of horror movie, it was comedy and horror, that’s the way I saw it.
Diane Collins interview
Jackson is interviewed by Collins. He is asked about a possible life as a movie actor.
Since I’ve done The Wiz, there’s been tons of things come in, and with a movie, you know, it’s so important to be selective, to do the right vehicle that’s perfect for you.
Diane Collins interview
Jackson is interviewed by Collins. He talks about fame and how he sees himself in the industry, particularly how iconic he is.
Its pretty easy for me because so many things I block out. I see myself like you, or like the people in this room. I’m human just like you are.
Wins American Music Award
0 CommentsJackson wins the American Music Award for Favorite Video (Soul/R&B) and Favorite Video (Pop/Rock) for Beat It, Favorite Single (Pop/Rock) for Billie Jean, Favorite Album (Soul/R&B) and Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) for Thriller, Favorite Male Artist (Soul/R&B), Favorite Male Artist (Pop/Rock), and Award of Merit.
This is a great honor, I’m very happy. I’d like to thank Epic Records – it’s the best record company in the world…
Wins BRIT Award
0 CommentsJackson wins the BRIT Award for Best International Solo Artist and Best International Album for Thriller.
Wins eight Grammy awards
Jackson wins eight Grammy awards, including three best male vocalist awards, after a record 12 nominations.
Wins Grammy
Jackson and Jones wins the Grammy for Record of the Year for Beat It, Album of the Year for Thriller, Best Recording For Children for E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical).
Wins Grammy
Jackson wins the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for Thriller, Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male for Beat It, and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for Billie Jean.